Abortion in Laos
Abortion in Laos was on the whole illegal before 2021, when the law was changed to allow the termination of pregnancy in certain circumstances[1].
Under the new legislation, abortion is permitted in the cases of[2]:
- The pregnant individual has significant health conditions including heart disease, blood diseases, mental health issues, cancer, kidney disease, among others named in the legislation.
- The pregnant individual is a member of a low-income family, has more than four children already, or is below the age of majority.
- The foetus has an intellectual disability, or has been exposed to poison or over 15 rads of radiation.
- The foetus was otherwise lost.
- The pregnancy was a result of rape or birth control failure.
Public Opinion
The population of Laos generally feels negative on the topic of abortion. A study published in 2020 suggested that only one in three Laotian adolescents were aware of induced abortion. Of those, however, 71% believed that the decision on having an abortion should be the woman's personal choice.[3]
- ^ Thanabouasy, Phayboune. "Authorities Draft New Legislation on Surrogacy and Abortion in Laos". The Laotian Times. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "ຂໍ້ຕົກລົງ ວ່າດ້ວຍ ການຄຸ້ມຄອງ ການໃຫ້ຖືພາແທນ ແລະ ການໃຫ້ຫຼຸລູກ" [Decision on the Management of Surrogacy and Abortion]. Decision No. 2077 of 8 July 2021 (in Lao). Ministry of Health of Laos. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ Vongxay, Viengnakhone; Chaleunvong, Kongmany; Essink, Dirk R.; Durham, Jo; Sychareun, Vanphanom (30 July 2020). "Knowledge of and attitudes towards abortion among adolescents in Lao PDR". Global Health Action. 13 (sup2): 1791413. doi:10.1080/16549716.2020.1791413. Retrieved 25 October 2023.